‘Rams’ – a documentary film portrait of one of the most influential designers alive

‘Rams’ – a documentary film portrait of one of the most influential designers alive

We don’t often discuss documentary films here at Film and Furniture. Ramshowever is a documentary portrait of Dieter Rams – one of the most influential designers alive – and is most worthy of attention. A must-see film for anyone interested in design.

Dieter Rams

For over fifty years Rams has left an indelible mark on our homes, our offices and the world at large with his iconic work at Braun and Vitsoe. His elegantly clear visual language not only defined product design for many generations, but also our fundamental understanding of what design is and what it can and should do.

The objects Dieter has designed have touched the lives of millions of people, be it a Braun coffeemaker, hair dryer, shaver, Hi Fi stereo, calculator, speakers, or alarm clock. Or an Oral-B toothbrush. Or a Vitsoe 606 shelving system. Or any of the hundreds of other products he has designed or overseen the design of.

His work has influenced the way most of today’s consumer products look and function. The computer or phone you’re reading this on looks the way it does because of Dieter Rams. His work had a big influence over the way Apple products look in particular.

Filmmaker Gary Hustwit (who also brought us the film Helvetica) was granted unprecedented access to the normally very private man to create the first feature-length documentary about his life and work and is accompanied by original music from pioneering musician and producer Brian Eno.

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